Everton and Celtic head for Firhill to play Thistle

FANCY watching Partick Thistle take on English Premier League big guns in top pre-season action?

Well you can have your wish as the Jags will be taking on Everton in the ARR Craib Cup next month.

Davie Moyes will bring an Everton XI all the way from Merseyside to Firhill for a glamour pre-season tournament, the first ever staged at Firhill. It takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22, and will also involve a Champions League-bound Celtic XI and Second Division Airdrie United.

Airdrie’s inclusion in the line-up will see Kenny Arthur, who recently returned to Scotland, go back to Firhill for the first time as a player since he made the last of his 287 appearances for Thistle back in 2007.

The fantastic weekend of football kicks off at noon on the Saturday with Thistle taking on Celtic XI.

Then, at 2.45pm, an Everton XI face Airdrie United.

On the Sunday there will be a third versus fourth play-off kicking off at noon.

And then at 2.45pm, the winners of both Saturday games will compete for the ARR Craib Cup.

Jags manager Jackie McNamara said: “Playing against the likes of Celtic and Everton will be a really big test for the players, but it’s one we’re all looking forward to. You always want to test yourself against top players and this gives us the chance to do that. It’ll be our last pre-season action before the season kicks off for real on July 28. Hopefully the fans will turn out in their numbers to support us.”

The Sunday is FREE to all Firhill season ticket holders. A day pass to enjoy Saturday or Sunday’s action is just £15 for adults and £10 for under-16s/concessions.

Non-season ticket holders and visitors can buy a weekend pass for £25 (adults) and £15 (under-16s/concessions).